Greek Politicians Urge Voters to Participate as They Cast Their Votes

Greek politicians on Sunday urged the millions of Greeks who are eligible to vote for the European and local elections to go to the polling stations and exercise their democratic right.

The President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos on Sunday noted that these elections were a chance for Greeks to show that they were “consciously European” and support EU’s global role.

“At a time when the forces of populism and racism are openly and directly attacking the European edifice and attempting to demolish it, this is the time when we Greeks must prove through our verdict just how consciously European we are,” he said.

Speaking after he cast his vote, premier Alexis Tsipras urged voters to defend the series of tax cuts and handouts announced by the government earlier this year and warned that they could be rolled back if the opposition gains significant ground.

“This is a day of responsibility for everyone to defend the sacrifices and efforts of the Greek people…to ratify and protect the economic recovery but also the relief measures, and not allow anyone to take them back,” he told the cameras after he voted in central Athens.

Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, noted the large participation in the elections and expressed confidence that his party will come out victorious.

“This is the time for citizens to have their say. I fully trust their judgment and I’m certain that tomorrow a new day will dawn for our country,” he told journalists.

Fofi Gennimata, the leader of the Socialist Movement for Change (KINAL), called on voters to reject populists and the far-right.

“Today, voters will turn a page in Europe and Greece, opening the way for progressive developments. They will close the door on the far-right and populism.”

Potami party leader Stavros Theodorakis sent a message to young first-time voters:

“In order for us to be born, a sperm did not waver and surged forward. It did not stand around to see what the others were doing. It set off and finally made it. Make up your mind then, don’t get left behind. Vote,” he urged young people.